Looks like BTS will be taking an even longer extended break when the army comes calling. On April 3, South Korea’s Ambassador to Great Britain Gunn Kim told British outlet The Times that no member of the boy band is exempt from serving in the South Korean army at some point. “It is very much expected that young Korean men serve the country and those BTS members are role models for many young-generation Koreans. I’m pretty sure they will fulfill their obligation to society,” Kim said.
Although Kim didn’t clarify when the seven BTS members might be conscripted, South Korean men between 18 to 28 must serve at least 18 months at a time, per the outlet. The ambassador’s statement also comes days after North Korea was allegedly successful in its March 25 test-fire of a Hwasong-17 missile, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
BTS’ fanbase, ironically monikered the BTS Army, tweeted sadness and confusion at the prospect of the notion. “Wait i thought i heard that they were like exempted from it or something,” one fan voiced, while another blamed the band’s likely draft on the South Koreans’ choice of president, tweeting, “now that south Korea has elected their trump, BTS is definitely not getting military exemption.” Meanwhile, yet another fan evoked memories of Elvis Presley’s notorious time in the army, writing that BTS will “sing and dance to calm the invaders with these beautiful soldiers uniforms.”
Nicki
